March 5, 2010 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Dear Jessica,
Thank you so much for an amazing visit, hun. Two years since we had seen you last…way too long!! The anticipation as we flew from Bangkok to Kaohsiung on February 13th was overwhelming!! So to actually lay eyes on you when we came through the exit doors was unbelievable…but we held it together pretty well didn’t we??
And, you kept us moving with the trip to Taipei the very next day. Amazing scenery on the high speed train!! ..rocketing at over 200 klicks, travelling from “Cowshung” (as Mike spells it) to Taipei in an hour and ½….modern, high tech but empty station…pretty new, you said, didn’t you??! While touring through the capital city, it was so nice to lag behind and watch you and Clark gab on together! You two get along like 2 peas in a pod. Wasn’t walking through the crowded streets of the night market fun!? Such colour and so many lights for the Chinese New Year celebration…the year of the tiger!
Loved the “One–0-One” building (highest with 101 floors). Didn’t we have a hoot at the book store!?? But possibly the best for you was the dinosaur museum and store. Loved the T-Rex watch you picked out…will the time gradually become extinct!! We thoroughly enjoyed the Di Vinci exhibition and Tchang Kai Chek museum, too.
Settling back into your apartment and bedroom (or as you so fondly describe it the “dungeon” but thank you so much for giving it up)…with such a nice location and beautiful gardens. We found Kaohsiung and Taipei, the whole country for that matter, to be very clean…no garbage cans…but clean! There didn’t seem to be a distinct smell…I don’t think the Taiwanese burn as much as we have noticed in other countries. Accept for that putrid smell of the tofu (we think) they cook on the streets! And Holly, what a sweetheart…it must be nice to have her around to explain some of the customs and language translations. Like, why they whiten there skin and why it is so important to be in a relationship. And what’s with the “Disney” fascination…Hello Kitty?? Kaohsiung didn’t have that tourist-ie feeling…very few people speaking English and no one hounding you for a taxi or tuk tuk. However, the people seemed friendly, like that lady in the bank I had such a nice chat with.
I think it worked out perfectly that the weather was a little cold. Didn’t it bring back family memories… playing games all week? And darn it all…I promised Christine a picture of me on the scooter with you! Oh well, we got one of Clark and Tim – the two “dandy” long legs! Loved the lunch down by the harbour (South China Sea)? I really miss the open water…and your driving skills are fabulous, girlfriend (don’t know how you manage with the million other scooters). .
It was great that you had the week off, Jess…so nice to spend Chinese New Year with you and Clark. And great to see Kirsten again! I imagined John to be a sweetie, just from the times we talked on the phone…and I was right. You have such nice roommates! Thank Chrissy again for taking me to yoga…(I’m still sore!) Everyone is doing so much and honestly, you guys are wise to take advantage of travelling while you are there! Wonderful to hear about John and Kirsten’s trip to Malaysia and we definitely had some questions for Chrissy about Vietnam.
We loved the food. Loved the street food, the teppanyaki restuarant and the BBQ with way too much Bar Beer! Maybe the 8 chicken sandwiches was a bit much Clark! But couldn’t you picture Deb Halls as the happy vendor, Jess?? She’d be making sure the boys had enough to eat before telling them to get over to the new 10 million dollar arena and help the little kids tie up their skates!!
So what were your highlights?? I think ours was watching the gold medal Olympics hockey final at 4:00 in the morning at “Foster Hewitt’s” bar…yeah Canada!!! And maybe my second was beating you at bowling!! He he…I know my Bowl for Kids volleyball team (we call ourselves “Joy of Sets”) will be miffed to know that I bowled 156 and not my usual 63!! It was great to see all you are up to in your life and where! Especially your classroom! Tim and I know how hard that would have been …”Mommie and Daddy, watching from the back!!” But what a treat to see how sweet and patient you are with the kids! And, they really love you. Excellent rapport Jess…100%….go to the head of the class! Oh, you already are!!
Say hi to Evan and the band …hope their gigs went well and we’ll cherish the signed copy of their practice play list when they hit the big time! And Ling, your “maid” and her husband. Andy did such a good job at taking us to the Yuan Heng temple and local village for the day. Oh, and thank John for the trip up Monkey Mountain! Glad we could help with his “training”…how many steps up the hill.????..all I know is it was 2 hours of sweat! And some crazy monkey’s at the top! Speaking of which…(only kidding), it was so nice to celebrate Clark’s birthday…what a great guy…and we got share in his dream by going on the very large Ferris wheel….on top of a very high building!. The lanterns on display for the New Year were amazing…and of course the pics don’t do them justice. Finding a spot to watch the fireworks was no easy task with the other 8 million people….they sort of put Fergus to shame with the show!! And, the throngs of people packing the streets on the way home…thank goodness we found that Irish Potato stand!
It was great seeing a little bit of Taiwan…but more importantly we got what we wanted and that was to pig out on your love, laughter and attention. Thanks so much. Jess,..talk with you soon, ….Hugs, Mommie and Timmy oxoxooxoo
PS Vietnam is amazing! Can’t wait to chat with all of you about it!
Comments
If you see any cool sailing gear ie Black Magic America’s cup or preferably Volvo Ocean Race t-shirts my 39th is coming up.
Love You
Karen:
Annie,
Glad you had a amazing time with Jess, I hope you gave her a big hug for me. Waiting with anticipation, to learn about Vietnam. Just wanted to wish you a super duper, bestest birthday ever! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Love as Always
Karen xxxoo
Lori:
HI Ann!!! Happy Birthday..
Lots of love and hugs…..miss you and Tim.
Keep the updates coming…
Love Lori
xoxoxoxoxo